Anna Hazare strikes deal with India on hunger protest

Indian anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare has reportedly struck a deal with the authorities that will allow him to hold a hunger strike in a park for up to 15 days.

Hazare's aides announced on Twitter that the activist agreed to the deal and will therefore leave jail and begin his protest at a Delhi park on Thursday afternoon, the New York Times reports.

The protest will be held at Delhi's Ramlila grounds, and Hazare successfully ensured that there will be no limits on the number of people attending the protest.

Hazare had planned on beginning his hunger protest in the park Tuesday, but authorities arrested him before he had the chance to enter the park, and they detained 1,300 people. The arrest of the activist, who has become the face of a social movement in India to demand an end to corruption among politicians, sparked protests across the country.

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Authorities therefore did an about face and offered to free Hazare, but he refused to leave Tihar Jail without written consent to hold his park protest.

The New York Times reports that Thursday's deal appears to have been reached after an emergency meeting between Hazare’s top aides and Delhi’s police commissioner.

Hundreds of Hazare's supporters who have been holding a vigil outside the jail greeted the news of the deal with cheers and merriment, BBC reports.

(More from GlobalPost: The irony of anti-corruption in India)

Hazare has been protesting an anti-corruption law that he deems is not strong enough. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh broke his silence Wednesday concerning Hazare and told parliament that the activist's hunger strike was "totally misconceived."

Twitter Thursday erupted with news of the deal and park protest. Here are some recent ones:

@Monodeep: Finally government bowed dwn to #Annahazare…a new movement against corruption has begun…

@Tinu_Warrior: Fasting to support #AnnaHazare …. Please joining to eradicate corruption from India

@RohanIvan: #AnnaHazare finally got permission for Hunger Strike…. This is Democracy, You need permission for "Sathyagraha" !!!!!!!!????

@mittaltushar: Middle class India has its hero for now. #annahazare #isupportannahazare #ramlilamaidan

DISCUSSION: What do you think of Anna Hazare's hunger protest? Is this the best way to demand change? Will he be successful? If you are in India, will you join the protest?